Foldable mouse

ABSTRACT

A foldable computer mouse is provided that includes a deformable body configurable to be formed into a first expanded configuration usable for receiving inputs for controlling a computing device and a second folded configuration in which a first portion of the deformable body is folded over a second portion of the deformable body. The mouse also includes an input sensor disposed on the deformable body and configured to detect tactile input, a motion tracking component disposed on the deformable body and configured to detect movement of the computer mouse, and a communications component configured to wirelessly communicate tactile input and motion tracking data to the computing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 63/002,285, filed on Apr. 29, 2020, andentitled “Foldable Mouse.”

BACKGROUND

A computer mouse is commonly used input device for a variety of computersystems. Portable computers, such as a laptops and tablet computingdevices, have become increasing popular. However, conventional computermouse designs are often too bulky or inconvenient to carry around with aportable computing device and smaller travel-sized computer mousedesigns often lack an ergonomic design and may be unconformable to use.There are significant areas for new and approved computer mouse designsthat are portable and ergonomic.

SUMMARY

An example data processing system according to the disclosure mayinclude a processor and a computer-readable medium storing executableinstructions. The executable instructions include instructionsconfigured to cause the processor to perform operations includingobtaining source data comprising a two-dimensional (2D) image,three-dimensional (3D) image, or depth information representing a faceof a human subject, and generating a 3D model of the face of the humansubject based on the source data by analyzing the source data to producea coarse 3D model of the face of the human subject and refining thecoarse 3D model through free form deformation to produce a fitted 3Dmodel.

An example computer mouse according to the disclosure includes adeformable body configurable to be formed into a first expandedconfiguration usable for receiving inputs for controlling a computingdevice and a second folded configuration in which a first portion of thedeformable body is folded over a second portion of the deformable body;an input sensor disposed on the deformable body and configured to detecttactile input from a user; a motion tracking component disposed on thedeformable body and configured to detect movement of the computer mouse;and a communications component configured to wirelessly communicatetactile input and motion tracking data to the computing device.

Another example computer mouse according to the disclosure includes adeformable body configurable to be formed into a first expandedconfiguration usable for receiving inputs for controlling a computingdevice and a second folded configuration in which the deformable body isfolded along a central portion of the deformable body; an input sensordisposed on the deformable body and configured to detect tactile inputfrom a user; a motion tracking component disposed on the deformable bodyand configured to detect movement of the computer mouse; and acommunications component configured to wirelessly communicate tactileinput and motion tracking data to the computing device.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore,the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solveany or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord withthe present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation.In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similarelements. Furthermore, it should be understood that the drawings are notnecessarily to scale.

FIG. 1A shows an example of a foldable mouse.

FIG. 1B shows another example of the foldable mouse illustrated in FIG.1A that is folded over a portion of a housing of a computing device.

FIG. 1C shows another example of the foldable mouse illustrated in FIG.1A.

FIG. 2A shows a top view of the foldable mouse from FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B shows another top of foldable mouse of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2C shows a view of the underside of the foldable mouse from FIGS.1A-2B.

FIG. 3A shows a view of the underside of the deformable body of thefoldable mouse from the preceding figures in which the deformable bodyis in the expanded configuration.

FIG. 3B shows a view of the underside of the deformable body of thefoldable mouse from the preceding figures in which the deformable bodyis in the folded configuration.

FIG. 3C shows a magnified view of the central portion of the undersideof the deformable body of the foldable mouse from the preceding figures.

FIG. 4A shows another example view of the deformable body of thefoldable mouse that illustrates the top side of the deformable body andin which the deformable body in the expanded configuration.

FIG. 4B shows another example view of the deformable body thatillustrates the top side of the deformable body and in which thedeformable body in the folded configuration.

FIG. 4C shows a magnified view of the central portion of the top side ofthe deformable body of the foldable mouse from FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D shows a magnified view of the central portion of the top side ofthe deformable body of the foldable mouse from FIG. 4B.

FIG. 5A shows a section view of the deformable body of the foldablemouse in which the mouse is in the expanded configuration.

FIG. 5B shows a section view of the deformable body of the mouse inwhich the mouse is in the folded configuration.

FIG. 5C shows a magnified view of the central portion of the sectionview of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D shows a magnified view of the central portion of the sectionview of FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6A shows a section view of the deformable body of the mouse inwhich the mouse is in the expanded configuration.

FIG. 6B shows a section view of the deformable body of the mouse inwhich the mouse is in the folded configuration.

FIG. 6C shows a magnified view of the central portion of the sectionview of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6D shows a magnified view of the central portion of the sectionview of FIG. 6B.

FIG. 7A shows a view of the deformable body of the mouse with anexpandable shell disposed on the top surface of the deformable body ofthe foldable mouse.

FIG. 7B shows a view of the deformable body of the foldable mouse in thefolded configuration with an expandable shell disposed on the topsurface of the deformable body.

FIG. 7C shows another view of the deformable body of the foldable mousein the folded configuration with an expandable shell disposed on the topsurface of the deformable body of the foldable mouse.

FIG. 8 shows the mouse from the preceding figures with a cover over thedeformable body and the expandable shell of the foldable mouse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent that the presentteachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances,well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have beendescribed at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoidunnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

A foldable computer mouse is provided that solves the technical problemoutlined above by being both portable and ergonomic. The computer mouseof the instant application provides a technical solution to this problemby including a deformable body configured to be formed into a firstfolded configuration in which the computer mouse has a small portablesize and into a second expanded configuration in which the computermouse expands into an ergonomic form usable for receiving user inputsfor controlling a computing device. The computer mouse may providenumerous technical benefits. The foldable form factor of the mouse mayallow the mouse to be folded around at least a portion the case orhousing of a portable computing device with which the mouse is to beused, such as but not limited to a laptop or table computing device.Attaching the mouse to the case of the computing device reduces thelikelihood of the computer mouse be misplaced while traveling with thecomputing device. Furthermore, the computer mouse may also receive powerfrom the computing device while the mouse is attached to the case orhousing of the computing device. This allows the computer mouse to becharged and ready to be used.

FIG. 1A shows an example computer mouse 100 according to the disclosure.The mouse 100 is in the expanded configuration in which the computermouse provides an ergonomic form usable for receiving inputs forcontrolling a computing device. The mouse 100 has a curved, ergonomicshape to allow the mouse to be comfortably held in the hand of a user.The mouse 100 is designed for use by either a left-handed orright-handed user. FIG. 1B shows an example implementation of the mouse100 from FIG. 1A in which the computer mouse is in the foldedconfiguration. In this example implementation, the body of the mouse 100may be folded into an arcuate configuration that conforms to theexterior housing of a computing device 120. The computing device 120 maybe a laptop, tablet computing device, or other portable computingdevice. The mouse 100 may be configured to affix to the housing of thecomputing device 120 using magnets or other means, which will bediscussed in greater detail in the examples that follow. A technicalbenefit of the mouse being able to conform to the exterior of thehousing of the computing device 120 is that the mouse 100 may beremovably affixed to the housing of the device which may significantlyreduce the likelihood of the mouse 100 being misplaced while traveling.Furthermore, the flexibility of the mouse 100 permits the mouse toconform to the exterior housings of computing devices which havedifferent sizes.

The body of the mouse 100 has a first arcuate configuration having afirst curvature when formed into the folded configuration, such as thatshown in FIG. 1B. The body of the mouse 100 has a second arcuateconfiguration having a second curvature formed into the expandedconfiguration, such as that shown in FIG. 1A. The first curvature isgreater than the second curvature. Another technical benefit provided bythe mouse 100 is that the mouse may be transformed from the firstarcuate configuration which is convenient for transporting the mouse 100to the second arcuate configuration which provides an ergonomic shapethat permits a user to comfortably hold the mouse 100 while using themouse 100.

FIG. 1C shows an example of the mouse 100 from FIG. 1A in which severaltouch sensitive regions of the mouse 100 have been highlighted. Themouse 100 may have one or more touch sensitive regions that areconfigured to detect tactile inputs. In the example implementationillustrated in FIG. 1C, three such touch sensitive regions are includedon the mouse 100. The mouse 100 has a first end 130, also referred toherein as the “nose” of the mouse 100, and a second end 135, alsoreferred to herein as the “tail” of the mouse 100. FIG. 1B shows anupper surface 140 of the mouse 100, which is also referred to herein asthe “top” of the mouse 100. The mouse 100 also includes a first side155, also referred to herein as the “right” side of the mouse 100, and asecond side 150, also referred to herein as the “left” side of the mouse100. A user of the mouse 100 would typically rest their hand on theupper surface 140 of the mouse 100 with the user's palm oriented towardthe tail of the computer mouse and the user's fingers oriented towardthe nose of the mouse 100. The curved shape of the mouse 100 provides anergonomic shape that is comfortable to hold as the user utilizes themouse 100.

The example implementation illustrated in FIG. 1C includes two touchsensitive regions 105 a and 105 b that are oriented toward the nose ofthe mouse 100. The touch sensitive regions 105 a and 105 b may comprisea capacitive sensor, force sensor, or other type of sensor that isconfigured to detect tactile inputs. The touch sensitive region 105 amay serve a similar function as the right mechanical button on aconventional two-button mouse, and the touch sensitive region 105 b mayserve a similar function as the left mechanical button on a conventionaltwo-button mouse. The user may tap or apply pressure to the touchsensitive region 105 a to generate a right mouse button input or to thetouch sensitive region 105 b to generate a left mouse button input. Theexample implementation of the mouse 100 illustrated in FIG. 1C alsoincludes a touch sensitive region 110 that is disposed between the touchsensitive regions 105 a and 105 b. The touch sensitive region 110 mayserve a similar purpose as a mechanical scroll wheel or middle mousebutton on other conventional computer mouse implementations.

The mouse 100 utilizes touch sensitive regions for receiving inputsinstead of mechanical elements, such as buttons and a scroll wheel, toprovide a more compact and streamlined form factor that may be foldedfor portability. However, in other implementations, one or more buttonsand/or a scroll wheel may be integrated into the mouse 100 instead ofone or more of the touch sensitive regions. The touch sensitive regions105 a, 105 b, and 110 are represented by dotted lines in FIG. 1C becausethe sensors are disposed in, or beneath, a cover material that coversthe body of the mouse 100. The cover may be made of various type ofmaterial that are thin enough to permit tactile inputs to be detected bythe touch sensitive regions 105 a, 105 b, and 110 while being durableenough to protect the computer mouse 100 from damage while beingtransported with the computing device. The cover may include a woven orknitted fabric or may include other types of material, such as arubberized material. An example implementation of the mouse 100 thatincludes a knitted cover is shown in FIG. 8.

The mouse 100 may include a feedback unit (not shown in FIG. 1C) that isconfigured to provide haptic feedback to the user in response to theuser touching one of the touch sensitive regions 105 a, 105 b, or 110.The feedback unit may be configured to generate a vibration in responseto the user touching one of the touch sensitive regions 105 a and 105 b,e.g., to provide a sensation to the user that may simulate the feelingof clicking a physical button. The feedback unit may be configured togenerate a vibration in response to the user touching the touchsensitive region 110, e.g., to provide a sensation that may simulate thefeeling of scrolling a physical scroll wheel. The feedback unit mayinclude a speaker that outputs a sound when one of the touch sensitiveregions 105 a, 105 b, or 110 are touched. For example, the feedback unitmay output a clicking sound that simulates the clicking of a physicalbutton similar to those used on many computer mice in response to theuser touching the one of the touch sensitive regions 105 a and 105 b.The feedback unit may output a sound similar to that produced by aphysical scroll wheel in response to the user touching the touchsensitive region 110. The user may, for example, run a finger along thetouch sensitive region 110 to simulate scrolling with a scroll wheel.

FIG. 2A shows a top view of the mouse 100 from FIGS. 1A-1C. Thelocations of the touch sensitive regions 105 a, 105 b, and 110 aresimilar to the example illustrated in FIG. 1C. FIG. 2B shows anotherview of the top of the mouse 100 in which the touch sensitive region 110is located closer to the midpoint of the body of the mouse rather thantoward the nose of the computer mouse 100. The layout and shape of thetouch sensitive regions 105 a, 105 b, and 110 illustrated in FIGS. 1C,2A, and 2B are merely examples and other implementations may includetouch sensitive regions that are in additional locations and/ordifferent locations on the mouse 100. Moreover, the touch sensitiveregions may have other geometric (e.g., oval or circular) ornon-geometric shapes. The number of and location of the touch sensitiveregion 110 may vary in other implementations.

FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the mouse 100 from the preceding examples.FIG. 2C illustrates several features that may be included inimplementations of the mouse 100. The mouse may include magnets disposedalong the bottom surface of the mouse that may be used to removablyaffix the computer mouse 100 to the case or housing of the computingdevice 120 when the mouse is in the folded configuration. The exampleillustrated in FIG. 2C includes four magnets 210 a, 210 b, 210 c, and210 d that are disposed at either end of the mouse. The mouse 100 mayoptionally include magnets disposed along the underside of the mouse tosecurely affix the mouse 100 to the case or housing of the computingdevice. The number of magnets included and the arrangement of themagnets along the underside of the mouse 100 may vary depending upon theconfiguration of the case or housing of the computing device 120 wherethe mouse is intended to be folded around at least a portion of the caseor housing of the mouse 100.

The mouse 100 may also include an inductive charging coil 215 forwirelessly charging a battery of the mouse (not shown). The chargingcoil 215 may be configured to align with a charging coil disposed on orwithin the case or housing of the computing device 120, and the mouse100 may be configured to wirelessly charge when affixed to the case orhousing of the computing device 120. The magnets 210 may be arranged toalign the coil 215 with a coil of the computing device when the mouse100 is magnetically affixed to the computing device. The inductivecharging coil 215 may be disposed beneath a panel 205. The panel 205 isformed of a material that allows a magnetic field generated by anexternal inductive charging coil, such as that disposed on the case orhousing of the computing device 120, to pass through the panel 205 tothe inductive panel. The panel 205 may be formed from plastic tominimize the weight added to the mouse 100. Other materials that do notinterfere with magnetic field, such as glass may also be used. In someimplementations, the panel 205 forms a portion of the cover of the mouse100. For example, a fabric cover encloses the mouse and adheres to, orunder, the panel 205.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2C, the mouse 100 is an optical mousethat includes a light source 225 and a light detector 230. The lightsource 225 may include a light-emitting diode (LED) or other lightsource. The light detector 230 may include an array of photodiodes thatmay be used to detect movement of the mouse 100 relative to a surface onwhich the mouse is resting. The mouse 100 may include a controller,processor, and/or other circuitry and components (not shown) forprocessing the signals received by the light detector 230. In theimplementation illustrated in FIG. 2C, the light source 225 and thelight detector 230 are disposed in an aperture 220 through the panel205. Other implementations may not include the panel 205 and the lightsource 225 and the light detector 230 may be disposed on a bottomsurface of the mouse 100, e.g., within one or more apertures of a coverof the mouse 100.

The mouse 100 may also include a wireless transceiver 240 that may beused to wirelessly communicate with a computing device 120. The wirelesstransceiver 240 may be configured to support Bluetooth and/or other suchwireless communications protocols. While the wireless transceiver 240 isillustrated as being disposed on the underside of the mouse 100, thewireless transceiver 240 may be disposed in different locations withinthe mouse 100. The location of the wireless transceiver 240 may depend,at least in part, on the underlying structure of the deformable body ofthe mouse 100. The examples which follow provide details of how thedeformable body of the mouse 100 may be implemented to permit the mouse100 to be folded into the compact configuration and/or expanded into theconfiguration in which the mouse 100 is usable for providing inputs tothe computing device 120.

The mouse 100 may have a feedback unit 250 that is configured to providehaptic and/or audio feedback to the user in response to the usertouching one of the touch sensitive regions, such as the touch sensitiveregions 105 a, 105 b, or 110 discussed in the preceding examples. Thefeedback unit may be configured to generate a vibration in response tothe user touching one of the touch sensitive regions to provide asensation the user that may simulate the feeling of clicking a physicalbutton or scrolling of a physical scroll wheel. The feedback unit mayinclude a speaker that outputs a sound when a touch sensitive region istouched. The feedback unit 250 may select, from a computer-readablememory of the mouse, an audio signal to be output that is associatedwith the touch sensitive region that was touched. The feedback unit 250may output an audio signal that sounds similar to the clicking soundproduced by clicking a physical button like those used on many computermice in response to the user touching a touch sensitive region thatsimulate a button or may output an audio signal that sounds similar tothat produced by a physical scroll. The feedback unit 250 may providevisual feedback to the user, such as lights to indicate a status of themouse (e.g., pairing status, battery status, operational status, etc.).The visual feedback may come from lights positioned on a surface of themouse 100, e.g., within a cover of the mouse or disposed withinapertures of the cover.

The mouse 100 may have a controller 260. The controller 260 may beconfigured to receive signals from one or more of the components of themouse 100 and to send one or more control signals to one or more of thecomponents of the mouse 100. The controller 260 may be implemented by amicroprocessor or other type or hardware logic components, such as butnot limited to Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs),Application-Specific Standard Products (ASSPs), etc. The controller 260may be configured to send data to and receive data from the computingdevice 120 via the wireless transceiver 240. For example, the controller260 may send control signals to the computing device that representtactile inputs to one or more touch sensitive areas of the mouse and/orrepresenting movement of the mouse across a surface. The computingdevice 120 may receive this control signals and may control themovements of a mouse pointer and/or perform other actions on thecomputing device 120 in response to these control signals.

FIG. 3A is a view of the underside of the deformable body 300 of themouse 100. The cover of the mouse has been removed in FIG. 3A so thatthe underlying structure of the deformable body 300 of the mouse 100 canbe seen. FIG. 3B provides another example view of the deformable body300 of the mouse 100 illustrated in FIG. 3A. In the example illustratedin FIG. 3B, the deformable body 300 is in the folded configuration.FIGS. 3A and 3B have also omitted other elements, such as the panel 205,the magnets 210 a-210 d, the inductive charging coil 215, the lightsource 225, the light detector 230, and the wireless transceiver 240illustrated in the previous figures to more clearly illustrate thecomponents of the deformable body 300.

The deformable body 300 includes end portions 310 a and 310 b and acentral portion 330 disposed between the end portions 310 a and 310 b.The central portion 330 is flexible and permits the deformable body 300to be formed into the expanded configuration as shown in the expandedconfiguration, as show in FIGS. 1A, 1C, 3A, 3C, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5C, 6A, 6C,and 7A or into the folded configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1C, 3B, 4B,4D, 5B, 5D, 6B, 6D, 7B and 7C. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3A,the central portion 330 includes a series of articulated segments orribs 305 arranged in a spatially consecutive arrangement. The exampleillustrated in FIG. 3A includes three articulated segments 305 a, 305 b,and 305 c. In other implementations, the deformable body may include asfew as one articulated segment 305 or more than the three articulatedsegments 305 illustrated in FIG. 3A.

The articulated segments 305 a-305 c and the end portions 310 a and 310b may be constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as but notlimited to metal or plastic. The end portions 310 a and 310 b aresubstantially flat, and one or more components of the mouse 100 may bedisposed on the end portions 310 a and 310 b, such as but not limited tothe panel 205, the magnets 210 a-210 d, the inductive charging coil 215,the light source 225, the light detector 230, and the wirelesstransceiver 240.

The articulated segments 305 a, 305 b, and 305 c are each connected toat least one other articulated segment 305 or one of the end portions310 a and 310 b via hinge components. In the example of FIG. 3A, a pairof hinge components 315 and 325 connect each of the articulated segments305 a, 305 b, and 305 c to another articulated segment or to one of theend portions 310 a and 310 b. In other implementations, the articulatedsegments 305 a, 305 b, and 305 c are each connected to at least oneother articulated segment 305 or one of the end portions 310 a and 310 bvia a single hinge component. The use of multiple hinge components toconnect the articulated segments provides the technical benefit ofstabilizing the deformable body 300 reduce the likelihood of thedeformable body 300 twisting laterally.

The hinge components 315 a-315 c and 325 a-325 c may be configured tomaintain a position of the hinge in a fixed position unless pressure isapplied to the end portions 310 a and 310 b and/or one or more of thearticulated segments 305 a-305 c. The hinge components 315 a-315 c and325 a-325 c may be configured to maintain the position the hinges usingfriction or using tension applied by a spring or other biasing elementthat maintains the position of the hinge. A technical benefit of thehinge components 315 and 325 is that the hinge components providesufficient flexibility to the mouse 100 that allow a user to adjust theshape of the mouse between the folded configuration and the expandedconfiguration but are provide sufficient rigidity to maintain the shapeof the mouse 100 in the folded configuration keep the mouse affixed tothe case of a computing device and the expanded configuration to permita user to use the mouse as a means for providing inputs to the computingdevice.

The hinge components 315 a-315 c may include one or more cross-memberelements that link the hinge components 315 a-315 c into a series, suchthat when a force is applied to one of the hinge components 315 a-315 c,the force is distributed across each of the hinge components 315 a-315 cto cause the hinge components 315 a-315 c to move together in tandem.Similarly, the hinge components 325 a-325 c may include one or morecross-member elements that link hinge components 325 a-325 c into aseries, such that when a force is applied to one of the hinge components325 a-325 c, the force is distributed across each of the hingecomponents 325 a-325 c to cause the hinge components 325 a-325 c to movetogether. Linking the hinge components into a series provides forsmoother movement of the central portion 330 of the deformable body 300of the mouse 100 because the hinge components work in concert with oneanother rather than independently. Additional details of the hingecomponents will be discussed in the examples that follow.

FIG. 3C shows another view of the central portion 330 that providesadditional details of the hinge components 315 a-315 c and 325 a-325 cof the deformable body 300 of the mouse 100. The hinge component 315 aincludes a first connector 315 a-1 and a second connector 315 a-2, thehinge component 315 b includes a first connector 315 b-1 and a secondconnector 315 b-2, and the hinge component 315 c includes a firstconnector 315 c-1 and a second connector 315 c-2. The hinge component325 a includes a first connector 325 a-1 and a second connector 325 a-2,the hinge component 325 b includes a first connector 325 b-1 and asecond connector 325 b-2, and the hinge component 325 c includes a firstconnector 325 c-1 and a second connector 325 c-2. Additional details ofthe connectors associated with each of the hinge components 315 a-315 cand 325 a-325 c are illustrated in FIGS. 4C, 4D, 5C, 5D, 6C, and 6D.

FIG. 4A shows another example view of the deformable body 300 thatillustrates the top side of the deformable body 300 and in which thedeformable body 300 in the expanded configuration. FIG. 4B shows anotherexample view of the deformable body 300 that illustrates the top side ofthe deformable body 300 and in which the deformable body 300 in thefolded configuration. FIGS. 4A and 4B provide additional detailsregarding the configuration of the hinge components 315 a-315 c and thehinge components 325 a-325 c. FIG. 4C shows a magnified view of thehinge components 315 a-315 c and the hinge components 325 a-325 c whilethe deformable body 300 of the mouse 100 is in the expandedconfiguration. FIG. 4D shows a magnified view of the hinge components315 a-315 c and the hinge components 325 a-325 c while the deformablebody 300 of the mouse 100 is in the expanded configuration.

FIGS. 5A-5D are diagrams showing section views of the deformable body300 of the of the mouse 100 that show details of the hinge components315 a-315 c and the hinge components 325 a-325 c. FIG. 5A shows asection view in which the deformable body 300 of the mouse 100 in in theexpanded configuration. FIG. 5B shows a section view in which thedeformable body 300 of the mouse 100 in in the folded configuration.FIG. 5C provides a magnified view of the hinge components 315 a-315 cand the hinge components 325 a-325 c while the deformable body 300 ofthe mouse 100 is in the expanded configuration, and FIG. 5D provides amagnified view of the hinge components 315 a-315 c and the hingecomponents 325 a-325 c while the deformable body 300 of the mouse 100 isin the folded configuration.

FIGS. 6A-6D are diagrams showing additional section views of thedeformable body 300 of the of the mouse 100 that illustrates how thehinge components 315 a-315 c and the hinge components 325 a-325 c. FIG.6A shows a section view in which the deformable body 300 of the mouse100 in in the expanded configuration. FIG. 6B shows a section view inwhich the deformable body 300 of the mouse 100 in in the foldedconfiguration. FIG. 6C provides a magnified view of the hinge components315 a-315 c and the hinge components 325 a-325 c while the deformablebody 300 of the mouse 100 is in the expanded configuration, and FIG. 6Dprovides a magnified view of the hinge components 315 a-315 c and thehinge components 325 a-325 c while the deformable body 300 of the mouse100 is in the folded configuration.

FIGS. 5C, 5D, 6C, and 6D illustrates how the cross-member connectorelements of the hinge components 315 a-315 c and 325 a-325 c may work inseries with one another to distribute force across each of the hingecomponents 315 a-315 c and 325 a-325 c when force is applied to one orboth of the end portions 310 a and 310 b. The use of the connectorsallows the deformable body 300 to be smoothly folded into the foldedconfiguration or opened into the expanded configuration.

FIGS. 5C and 5D show that the connector 315 b-2 may have substantiallyan L-shape with a first end 515 b-1 and a second end 515 b-2. Theconnector 315 b-2 has a first hinge knuckle (also referred to herein asa joint or node) at the first end 515 b-1 and a second hinge knuckle atthe second end 515 b-2. A first pin (not shown) passes through the firsthinge knuckle at the first end 515 b-1 and into a corresponding hingeknuckle (not shown) on the first connector 325 a-1 as can be seen in theFIGS. 6C and 6D. A second pin (not shown) passes through the secondhinge knuckle at the second end 515 b-2 and passes through acorresponding hinge knuckle 525 c-1 on the connector 325 c-1. As can beseen in FIGS. 5C and 5D and in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the connector 315 b-2 isconfigured to pivot as the deformable body 300 of the mouse 100 movesfrom the folded configuration to the expanded configuration.

If pressure is exerted on the end portion 310 b to cause the deformablebody to move toward the folded configuration from the expandedconfiguration, the first end 525 c-1 of the connector 325 c-1 pivotsdownward causing the second end 525 c-1 of the connector 325 c-1 topivot upward. A technical benefit of this configuration is that the usermay exert pressure on one or both of the end portions 310 a and 310 b ofthe deformable body of the mouse to move the mouse to the expandedconfiguration and the connectors distribute the force along thedeformable body to make moving the deformable body 300 of the mousebetween the expanded configuration and the folded configuration and viceversa. The second end 525 c-2 of the connector 325 c-1 is connected tothe second end of the 515 b-2 of the connector 315 b-2, and the upwardmotion of the second end 515 c-2 causes the second end of the 515 b-2 ofthe connector 315 b-2 to pull downward and the first end 515 b-1 topivot upward. The first end 515 b-1 of the connector 315 b-2 isconnected to the first end 525 a-1 of the connector 325 a-1, whichcauses the first end 515 a-1 of the connector 325 a-1 to pivot upwardand the second end 515 a-2 of the connector 325 a-1 to pivot downward,which in turns causes the end portion 310 a to pivot toward the foldedconfiguration.

If pressure is exerted on the end portion 310 a to cause the deformablebody 300 to move toward the folded configuration from the expandedconfiguration, downward pressure will be exerted on the second end 515a-2 of the connector 325 a-1 causing the second end 515 a-2 to pivotdownward and the first end 515 a-2. The first end 525 a-1 of theconnector 325 a-1 will pivot upward, causing the first end 515 b-1 ofthe connector 315 b-2 to pivot upward. This in turn causes the secondend 515 b-2 of the connector 315 b-2 to pivot downward, which causes thesecond end 525 c-2 of the connector 325 c-1 to pivot with the second end515 b-2 of the connector 315 b-2. The first end 525 c-1 of the willpivot downward causing the end portion 310 b to move toward the foldedconfiguration.

If pressure is exerted on the end portion 310 b to cause the deformablebody 300 to move toward the expanded configuration from the foldedconfiguration, the first end 525 c-1 of the connector 325 c-1 pivotsupward, causing the second end 525 c-2 to pivot downward. This causesthe second end 515 b-2 of the connector 315 b-2 to pivot upward and thefirst end 515 b-1 of the connector to pivot downward, which causes thefirst end 525 a-2 of the connector 325 a-1 to pivot upward. The secondend 325 a-2 of the connector 325 a-1 pivoting upward causes the endportion 310 a to pivot upward toward the expanded configuration. Ifpressure is exerted on the end portion 310 a to cause the deformablebody 300 to move toward the expanded configuration from the foldedconfiguration, the second end 325 a-2 of the connector 325 a-1 pivotsupward, which causes the first end 515 b-1 of the connector 315 b-2 topivot downward and the second end 515 b-2 to pivot upward. As a result,the second end 515 c-2 of the connector 325 c-1 pivots downward, and thefirst end 515 c-1 of the connector 325 c-1 pivots upward. The endportion 310 b-2 also then pivots upward toward the expandedconfiguration. While the preceding examples illustrate the operation ofelements of the hinge components 325 a-325 c, the hinge components 315a-315 c may include similar features that cause the hinge components 315a-315 c to operate in tandem in a similar manner as the operation of thehinge components 325 a-325 c discussed above.

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a view of the mouse 100 which shows thedeformable body 300 including an expandable shell 705 affixed to the topside of the deformable body 300. The expandable shell 705 is configuredsuch that a portion of the deformable body expands into an ergonomicshape for holding the mouse when the deformable body is formed into thefirst expanded configuration. In this example, the expandable shell 705is a hollow shell of a flexible but semi-rigid material, such as but notlimited to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or polypropylene. FIG. 7Ashow the deformable body 300 of the mouse 100 in the expandedconfiguration with the shell 705 expanded. The expandable shell 705 iscapable of retaining its shape when in the expanded configuration toprovide a more ergonomic shape to form to the mouse 100 but is alsoflexible enough to be folded flat or substantially flat against thedeformable body 300 of the mouse 100 when the mouse 100 is in the foldedconfiguration.

The expandable shell 705 may include a plurality of slots along thelength of each side of the expandable shell 705 that facilitateflattening the expandable shell 705 against the deformable body 300 ofthe mouse 100 when the mouse is in the folded configuration. Theexpandable shell 705 may be covered by a cover, such as that illustratedin FIG. 8, and sensors providing one more touch sensitive regions, suchas the touch sensitive regions 105 a, 105 b, and 110 discussed in thepreceding examples, may be disposed on the top surface of the expandableshell 705 and/or on the cover material.

FIGS. 7B and 7C show examples of the mouse 100 in the foldedconfiguration in which the expandable shell 710 is flat against orsubstantially flat against the top surface of the deformable body 300 ofthe mouse 100.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of the mouse 100 with a knitted cover 800.The cover is soft and flexible so as to not interfere with the abilityof the mouse 100 to be folded into the folded configuration or expandedinto the expanded configuration. The mouse is shown in FIG. 8 in theexpanded configuration. The cover 800 may be made of a material that iselastic such that the cover is capable of stretching while in the foldedconfiguration and contracting while in the expanded configuration. Thecover may be made of a material that is soft so that the mouse 100 ismore comfortable to hold for a user. The cover material may benon-metallic to allow the mouse 100 to include one or more magnets thatcan be used to affix the mouse to a computing device, such as thecomputing device 120 from the preceding examples. The cover material mayalso include one or more openings, such as for the light source 225 andthe light detector 230 in the preceding examples. In someimplementations, the cover 800 includes capacitive regions (e.g., usingcapacitive threads) to provide touch sensitive buttons as describedabove. In some implementations, the cover includes one or more lightemitting regions (e.g., using light emitting threads or fibers) toprovide visual feedback to the user.

While various embodiments have been described, the description isintended to be exemplary, rather than limiting, and it is understoodthat many more embodiments and implementations are possible that arewithin the scope of the embodiments. Although many possible combinationsof features are shown in the accompanying figures and discussed in thisdetailed description, many other combinations of the disclosed featuresare possible. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combinationwith or substituted for any other feature or element in any otherembodiment unless specifically restricted. Therefore, it will beunderstood that any of the features shown and/or discussed in thepresent disclosure may be implemented together in any suitablecombination. Accordingly, the embodiments are not to be restrictedexcept in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also,various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of theattached claims.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the bestmode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modificationsmay be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may beimplemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may beapplied numerous applications, only some of which have been describedherein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and allapplications, modifications and variations that fall within the truescope of the present teachings.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions,magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in thisspecification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, notexact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistentwith the functions to which they relate and with what is customary inthe art to which they pertain.

The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow.That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as isconsistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in theclaims when interpreted in light of this specification and theprosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural andfunctional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intendedto embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement ofSections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they beinterpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subjectmatter is hereby disclaimed.

Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated orillustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedicationof any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, orequivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recitedin the claims.

It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein havethe ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions withrespect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and studyexcept where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be usedsolely to distinguish one entity or action from another withoutnecessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or orderbetween such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,”or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusiveinclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus thatcomprises a list of elements does not include only those elements butmay include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to suchprocess, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a” or“an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence ofadditional identical elements in the process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises the element.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in various examples for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claims require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed example. Thus, the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer mouse comprising: a deformable bodyconfigurable to be formed into a first expanded configuration usable forreceiving inputs for controlling a computing device and a second foldedconfiguration in which a first portion of the deformable body is foldedover a second portion of the deformable body, wherein: the deformablebody comprises a plurality of articulated segments arranged in aspatially consecutive arrangement and a plurality of hinges, eacharticulated segment of the plurality of articulated segments isconnected to at least one adjacent articulated segment via a hinge ofthe plurality of hinges, and the plurality of hinges associated with theplurality of articulated segments are interconnected with pivotingconnectors to cause the plurality of hinges to operate in tandem; aninput sensor disposed on the deformable body and configured to detecttactile input from a user; a motion tracking component disposed on thedeformable body and configured to detect movement of the computer mouse;and a communications component configured to wirelessly communicatetactile input and motion tracking data to the computing device.
 2. Thecomputer mouse of claim 1, wherein the deformable body, while in thesecond folded configuration, forms a first arcuate configuration thatconforms to an exterior housing of the computing device.
 3. The computermouse of claim 2, wherein the deformable body, while in the firstexpanded configuration the deformable body forms a second arcuateconfiguration having a second curvature that is smaller than a firstcurvature of the first arcuate configuration of deformable body in thesecond folded configuration.
 4. The computer mouse of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of hinges each comprise a friction hinge that isconfigured to maintain a position of the friction hinge using friction.5. The computer mouse of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of thedeformable body expands into an ergonomic shape for holding the mousewhen the deformable body is formed into the first expandedconfiguration.
 6. The computer mouse of claim 1, wherein the deformablebody comprises a shell that expands to the first expanded configurationwhen the deformable body is expanded to the first expandedconfiguration, and wherein the shell collapses against the deformablebody when the deformable body is folded into the second foldedconfiguration.
 7. The computer mouse of claim 1, wherein the inputsensor comprises a capacitive sensor for detecting the tactile input;and wherein the computer mouse further comprises: a haptic feedbackcomponent configured to generate a haptic output responsive to the inputsensor detecting the tactile input.
 8. The computer mouse of claim 1,further comprising: a first inductive charging coil for wirelesslycharging a battery of the computer mouse, wherein the first inductivecharging coil is configured to magnetically couple with a secondinductive charging coil disposed in or on a housing of the computingdevice.
 9. A computer mouse comprising: a deformable body configurableto be formed into a first expanded configuration usable for receivinginputs for controlling a computing device and a second foldedconfiguration in which a first portion of the deformable body is foldedover a second portion of the deformable body, wherein: the deformablebody comprises a plurality of articulated segments arranged in aspatially consecutive arrangement and a plurality of hinges, eacharticulated segment of the plurality of articulated segments isconnected to at least one adjacent articulated segment via a hinge ofthe plurality of hinges, and a first hinge of the plurality of hingesincludes at least one connector element configured to apply force to anadjacent second hinge of the plurality of hinges to distribute forceapplied to the first hinge across to the adjacent second hinge; an inputsensor disposed on the deformable body and configured to detect tactileinput from a user; a motion tracking component disposed on thedeformable body and configured to detect movement of the computer mouse;and a communications component configured to wirelessly communicatetactile input and motion tracking data to the computing device.
 10. Acomputer mouse comprising: a deformable body configurable to be formedinto a first expanded configuration usable for receiving inputs forcontrolling a computing device and a second folded configuration inwhich the deformable body is folded along a central portion of thedeformable body, wherein: the deformable body comprises a plurality ofarticulated segments arranged in a spatially consecutive arrangement anda plurality of hinges, each articulated segment of the plurality ofarticulated segments is connected to at least one adjacent articulatedsegment via a hinge of the plurality of hinges, and the plurality ofhinges associated with the plurality of articulated segments areinterconnected with pivoting connectors to cause the plurality of hingesto operate in tandem; an input sensor disposed on the deformable bodyand configured to detect tactile input from a user; a motion trackingcomponent disposed on the deformable body and configured to detectmovement of the computer mouse; and a communications componentconfigured to wirelessly communicate tactile input and motion trackingdata to the computing device.
 11. The computer mouse of claim 10,wherein the deformable body, while in the second folded configuration,forms a first arcuate configuration that conforms to an exterior housingof the computing device.
 12. The computer mouse of claim 11, wherein thedeformable body, while in the first expanded configuration thedeformable body forms a second arcuate configuration having a secondcurvature that is smaller than a first curvature of the first arcuateconfiguration of deformable body in the second folded configuration. 13.A computer mouse comprising: a deformable body configurable to be formedinto a first expanded configuration usable for receiving inputs forcontrolling a computing device and a second folded configuration inwhich the deformable body is folded along a central portion of thedeformable body, wherein: the central portion of the deformable bodycomprises a plurality of articulated segments arranged in a spatiallyconsecutive arrangement and a plurality of hinges, each articulatedsegment of the plurality of articulated segments is connected to atleast one adjacent articulated segment via a hinge of the plurality ofhinges, and a first hinge of the plurality of hinges includes at leastone connector element configured to apply force to an adjacent secondhinge of the plurality of hinges to distribute force applied to thefirst hinge across to the adjacent second hinge; an input sensordisposed on the deformable body and configured to detect tactile inputfrom a user; a motion tracking component disposed on the deformable bodyand configured to detect movement of the computer mouse; and acommunications component configured to wirelessly communicate tactileinput and motion tracking data to the computing device.
 14. The computermouse of claim 10, wherein the deformable body comprises a shell that isconfigured to expand to a first expanded configuration when thedeformable body is expanded to the first expanded configuration, andwherein the shell is configured to collapse into a second collapsedconfiguration against the deformable body when the deformable body isformed into the folded configuration.
 15. The computer mouse of claim10, wherein the input sensor comprises a capacitive sensor for detectingthe tactile input, the computer mouse further comprising: a hapticfeedback component configured to generate a haptic output responsive tothe input sensor detecting the tactile input.
 16. The computer mouse ofclaim 10, further comprising: a first inductive charging coil forwirelessly charging a battery of the computer mouse, wherein theinductive charging coil is configured to magnetically couple with asecond inductive charging coil disposed in or on a housing of thecomputing device.